Meet the latest and greatest in clean cosmetics,Clove + Hallow, a brand that blends a modern, high quality aesthetic with clean ingredients, along with high performance formulas at a reasonable price tag. Green beauty enthusiast and beyond, you’re going to swoon over this line! Clove + Hallow first debuted with a line of incredible lip products (which I have today) and most recently expanded their line to include a liquid concealer, pressed mineral foundation, makeup remover and a liquid lipstick!

Clove + Hallow was born out of the desire to create a safe, beautiful and affordable line of cosmetics that works for women of all skin tones. Fueled by her own growing interest in a cleaner lifestyle after dealing a “mystery illness,” MUA Sarah Biggers created the line as she found herself unimpressed with the current offerings in green beauty. With a “minimalist approach to formulation,” Clove + Hallow uses only ingredients necessary in creating their products “starting with skin-loving botanicals, butters and oils – and excluding more than 1,500 questionable nasties.” The line is also PETA-approved and vegan.

*A word about “safe:” Our clean makeup products go through a strict formulation process during which known carcinogens, endocrine and hormone disruptors, allergens and irritants, and animal by-products are excluded. We never use cheap or toxic filler chemicals, and the few synthetic ingredients we do use have been extensively researched and selected because they serve a real purpose within our formulas, such as preservation or pigment.

Angelic (left) and Candied Hearts (right)

LIP GLAZE

The Lip Glazes are highly pigmented glosses that boasts a lot of shine and long-lasting hydration. The formula is smooth – no stickiness whatsoever, with considerable long-wear. These are so hydrating that I can skip out on balm entirely. The beautiful and high quality packaging is certainly a surprise at this price point and its performance is exceptional. A twist tube releases product into a brush applicator. The Lip Glazes come in a selection of six shades, I have two of them to share with you today.

The Lip Crème is so incredibly creamy, while it easily glides across the lips, depositing intense pigment and a satin finish. Again, the formula is notably hydrating (my lips still feel hydrated even after I’ve wiped it away) and the wear is better than average, maintaining its creamy quality throughout wear. The beautiful white packaging holds together with a magnet, which feels so luxe. The Lip Crème is available in a selection of nine gorgeous shades, from nudes, to bright pinks, to deep reds.

“Clove + Hallow is for the beauty newbie, junkie or pro who cares about the ingredients that touch her skin daily. So, whether you rock the basics or take risks with bold looks and new techniques, get ready in five minutes flat after hitting the snooze button one too many times, or budget half an hour to coax that one eyebrow into place—Clove + Hallow has you covered with clean cosmetics made from real, natural ingredients that really work.”

How about a 9-Free Nail Color that improves you nails over time? Introducing Dr. Dana, the first dermatologist created nail care line, created by Dr. Dana Stern, a board certified dermatologist who devotes her entire practice to the diagnosis, treatment and surgery of the nail. The 9-Free line of Nail Colors are created using only high quality ingredients and are free of toxic chemicals. What you won’t find in the line is Toluene, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Triphenyl Phosphate, Xylene, Ethyl Tosylamide, and Parabens.

“From celebrities to luminaries, patients from all over the world come to see Dr. Dana at her bustling Fifth Avenue New York City and Hamptons practices. She is the nail expert of choice for the media and has been featured in Allure, InStyle and Dr. Oz, among many others. Vogue magazine called her “the go-to dermatologist for nail disorders and cosmetic conditions relating to nail disease.”

Fall is only but a few weeks away and for me it feels somewhat bittersweet. I will miss the beach, the heat, and mostly the longer days. There are, however, are a few things that are getting me excited for the upcoming season – oversized sweatshirts – still an acceptable fashion trend, the beret is making a comeback, boots, oh and new makeup collections!

Fresh for fall 2017, Jane Iredale welcomes their Naturally Glam Makeup Collection, featuring a brand new eye shadow kit, a blush and two lip shades. The collection features shades that will slowly help us transition into fall, including a variety of options to customize your look.

The “king of contour,” Kevyn Aucoin, unveils their brand new Etherealist Super Natural Concealer* and Corrector*, said to correct, highlight and perfect. Available in nine shades (plus one corrector), they contain a blend of “complexion brightening pearls and high-definition pigments to reflect light for a flawless effect.”

When it comes to concealer, my demands are as high and my under-eye circles are dark. Read on to see how the Etherealist Concealer stood up…

Summer means sun, sand and surf – I live for it, it’s my favorite season and the time when I feel most connected to my true self. As the weather warms and we spend more time outside immersing ourselves in nature, we feed our mind, body and soul – there is nothing more invigorating.

More summer also equals more skin, and I’ve compiled a list of my summer essentials to reveal a more radiant you, a more confident you.

My skin has been very happy this summer, which is not always the case. With travel, exposure to the sun and chlorine pools, my skin tends to become quite stressed. Yet with my current routine and diligence, my skin is thriving through the stressors. I’m always quite regular in my routine, only changing up masks according to my needs and occasionally switching up moisturizers in regard to the days activities. One important change I’ve made is that I’ve ridded my routine of harsh cleansers – anything that makes my skin feel “squeaky clean” is gone from my daily regimen and replaced with only the gentlest and most hydrating options. This has made a tremendous difference in my dry skin, which never feels dry these days but quite dewy actually.

Even though its mid-summer, my skin still craves layers. Ultra nourishing oils, always topped with a water-based moisturizer works best for me.

Meet the new Luminizer X Quad from RMS Beauty. This dreamy quad of highlighters feature four brand new “luminizer” shades, and I have to say, it’s kind of a must-have. I want to go “full-face highlighter challenge” with this baby. If you felt the OG “Living Luminizer” didn’t have enough oomph for you, well then the Luminizer X will help you reach your highlight goals. Then there is the Champagne Fizz with some serious light-reflective shimmer in it. More details of the shades below…